Japan's Red-Crowned Cranes

Japan’s Red-crowned Crane. The Kushiro Wetlands in Hokkaido. The Kushiro wetlands in eastern Hokkaido is the largest in Japan, covering over hectares. With magnificent scenery and abundant wildlife it's one of the few places where you can get so close to truly unspoiled nature. It's also home to these rare red-crowned cranes regarded by many in Japan as sacred. Uniquely for this normally migratory species, these cranes live here year round. After their famous mating gance these cranes bond for life. They are one of the longest-living birds, with an average lifespan of thirty years. This long life and fidelity are why the rate crowned crane is a much loved symbol of good fortune for the Japanese. Unfortunately, these birds are now classed worldwide as an endangered species. Migratory red-crowned cranes are still declining in mainland Asia, but Japan's resident population has stabilized. The crane's natural food is insects and small fish from the local rivers. However, the effects on the environment of forest clearing and other development have reduced their access to such food. This is especially a problem in winter when the rivers freeze over. Today, these cranes would not survive the cold season without human assistance. Fifty years ago, the efforts of one man to saved the red-crowned cranes were approaching extinction. His name was Yoshitaka Ito. Ito devoted half his life to helping this crane population recover. Discovering that only a single pair of birds remained, he began feeding them and encouraged them to breed. The results of Ito's many years researching their habits laid the foundation for today's conservation. Ito's passion with the passion of Kushiro's red crowned cranes continues to inspire a new generation. Specialist park rangers are now stationed here to conserve this environment, and study its wetland eco-system. Our goal is to allow the cranes to live by feeding themselves - the way they do in nature. For us - the best results will be when the birds no longer need our help. Among the Rangers conservation duties is clearing away overgrown vegetation and fallen trees by the riverbanks to give the cranes free access to their feeding grounds. There are a lot of different tasks that need to be done out in the field of course, but I think our most important work may be promoting a deeper relationship between people and these cranes. We have various ongoing projects to interest more people in our work...to preserve the environment in this region.....and for us all to work together to ensure these wonderful rare birds are properly protected. The number of cranes in Kusher has now increased to about . And they're attracting enthusiastic visitors from all over Japan. Thanks to the efforts of the Rangers, a new generation of children knows why these cranes need protection. The fact that cranes now thrive in this environment shows that the natural eco-system itself [...is good for them...] Protecting the cranes depends on ensuring the health of this whole wetland eco-system - so, protecting the red-crowned cranes and this wetland in its natural form, takes us one step toward(s) finding a way for people to co-exist with nature. [The] survival of these beautiful birds is a demonstration that we can live in harmony with nature....